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Glite Dictionary
acanthocytosis

acanthocytosis

9.9
A condition when many red blood cells look spiky in the blood
  • noun
  • /ˌækənˌθoʊsɪˈtoʊsɪs/
  • Specialized
: acantocitosis
  • Acanthocytosis can be a diagnostic clue for certain genetic disorders.

Examples

  • Physicians observed acanthocytosis while examining the peripheral blood smear.

  • Patients with acanthocytosis often experience neurological symptoms.

  • The blood test revealed a high level of acanthocytosis in the patient.

  • The diagnosis of acanthocytosis was confirmed by blood tests.

  • Acanthocytosis can indicate the presence of underlying conditions like abetalipoproteinemia.

  • During the examination, the doctor found signs of acanthocytosis in the patient's blood sample.

  • A blood test showing acanthocytosis helps healthcare professionals diagnose specific genetic disorders.

Surface Forms

acanthocytosis singular
acanthocytoses plural

Morphology

acanthocytosis = acanthocyte (semi-transparent) = acantho + cyte + osis

Formed by adding the medical suffix '-osis' to 'acanthocyte' (a spiny red blood cell); the formation is regular but relies on technical medical vocabulary.

Etymology

Acanthocytosis comes from Greek parts acantho- 'thorn' and cyto- 'cell' plus -osis 'condition'. So it literally means a 'condition of thorny cells', which fits the medical meaning of red blood cells that look spiny.